The International University of Rabat (UIR), through its UNESCO Chair, announced the launch on Monday of the 2025 edition of the World Heritage Volunteers program.

The annual program will allow thousands of young people to engage in educational workshops and collaborative projects that aim to contribute to the preservation of World Heritage sites.

The program of this year explores the cross between the physical and digital worlds, under the theme “Phygital Heritage: Chellah & Oudayas between Virtual and Gamification.”

In partnership with UNESCO, the initiative will take place from November 10-20 in Rabat, which the UN agency has listed World Heritage Site since 2012.

The program will bring together Moroccan and international volunteers, who will share the same goal in contributing to preserving cultural heritage through technologies and innovative approaches.

Organizers will put on several activities for participants that combine heritage, technology, and civil engagement. Among them are workshops on 3D modeling, as well as photogrammetry, among others, over the course of ten days, according to a report by Morocco World News. 

“These activities aim to make heritage more accessible, playful and inclusive, while actively engaging local communities,” it quoted UIR-UNESCO Chair as saying in a statement, recalling that the project is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Urban Agency of Rabat-Sale, the Rabat Heritage Society, and the University of Florence.  

The UIR statement further said that the program reflects the university’s commitment to promoting phygital pedagogy in the service of heritage preservation and sustainable development.